The Scottish Government has announced an additional £2.4 million for hospices in its 2026/27 budget, to help deliver pay parity for staff with the NHS Agenda for Change. This increased funding will take the total allocated to the hospice sector to £9.4 million.
Reacting to the announcement, Nick Carroll, Chief Executive of Together for Short Lives said:
“Alongside Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) and Hospice UK, I warmly welcome the additional £2.4 million for hospices in the Scottish Government’s 2026/27 budget. This is a much-needed step towards ensuing these vital services can deliver pay parity with the NHS.
“While the funding uplift is deeply welcome, it must not be the end of the conversation. CHAS is a vital source of support for seriously ill children and their families across Scotland. Yet, rising costs means that it has to rely even more on the public’s generosity, which is a risk to it being able to meet the growing and more complex demand for the care seriously ill children need.
We must therefore futureproof the support these children rely on. The Scottish Government must continue to work closely with the sector to deliver a sustainable, long-term funding settlement that ensures CHAS can plan with confidence for the years ahead.”